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A Family Scandal
**A gritty and emotional family drama, from the Sunday Times bestseller. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Katie Flynn.**
You can never leave a bad man behind…
Mavis Pugh has had a hard life. Despised and abused throughout her teenage years, she turned to the first man who showed her kindness. But her new husband, Alec, quickly revealed himself to be a violent bully.
When Mavis escapes from Alec, she thinks the worst is behind her. Moving to a large family house with her two children is more than she ever dreamed of, and when handsome sign-writer Tommy takes an interest in her, she can't believe her luck.
But Alec is far from a distant memory and, unbeknown to Mavis, he’s watching her and her happy family closely. Just waiting for the right time to make his next – and final – move…
You can never leave a bad man behind…
Mavis Pugh has had a hard life. Despised and abused throughout her teenage years, she turned to the first man who showed her kindness. But her new husband, Alec, quickly revealed himself to be a violent bully.
When Mavis escapes from Alec, she thinks the worst is behind her. Moving to a large family house with her two children is more than she ever dreamed of, and when handsome sign-writer Tommy takes an interest in her, she can't believe her luck.
But Alec is far from a distant memory and, unbeknown to Mavis, he’s watching her and her happy family closely. Just waiting for the right time to make his next – and final – move…
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2016
264 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 9, 2018
A good, easy read, I liked that the story flowed quite quickly so there were no boring bits. The book's central character is Mavis, at the start she moves into a new house with her mother and step father and their son downstairs and Mavis and her son and daughter upstairs. Her past comes back to haunt her, and her boyfriend is arrested. It ends with a good did he or didn't he scenario.
October 2, 2018
Captivating from the start
My first book from Kitty Neale, and it was a very good start.
Very honest believable characters. She paints an accurate snapshot of how life was, not so long ago.
The sense of community and true friendship shone through. She's not shy on tackling the issues that happened too often back then. I will definitely be reading her other titles.
My first book from Kitty Neale, and it was a very good start.
Very honest believable characters. She paints an accurate snapshot of how life was, not so long ago.
The sense of community and true friendship shone through. She's not shy on tackling the issues that happened too often back then. I will definitely be reading her other titles.
May 18, 2017
i was surprised at this one from Kitty Neale. It wasnt gripping enough and took ages to get going. Hence the 2 stars unfortunately.
July 9, 2018
It started out kinda badly but I ended up being unexpectedly invested by the end
February 14, 2020
A lot of characters in the book that I kept on forgetting who was who. In the end I had to make a list...
I reckon Tommy deserved a medal putting up with his mean and miserable mother 😃
I reckon Tommy deserved a medal putting up with his mean and miserable mother 😃
July 4, 2021
A brilliant story.
Kitty Neale is a brilliant author. Her stories are wrote with such feeling and you can connect with the characters.
Kitty Neale is a brilliant author. Her stories are wrote with such feeling and you can connect with the characters.
October 15, 2021
Decent read
July 31, 2022
Easy read which kept my interest to the end.
May 31, 2023
Kitty Neale’s stories are always very easy to read - I also like that they’re always perfectly wrapped up at the end!
November 1, 2023
A very good read, really enjoyable
February 9, 2024
Brings London blitz and the war alive. Showed how people learnt to do without our luxuries and how they helped each other’s nations cebstory
October 2, 2024
Another great book by Kitty Neale just love reading her books
May 18, 2025
Brilliant book
I couldn't put the book down .I enjoyed it so much .I will look for more books of hours that are quite similar.
I couldn't put the book down .I enjoyed it so much .I will look for more books of hours that are quite similar.
June 28, 2022
As a good little read on my holiday
June 2, 2016
Fantastic read
I chose this rating and gave 5 stars from the first page to the last it was very good and had a happy ending I would recommend this book to friends and family and anyone else who likes kitty neal .
I chose this rating and gave 5 stars from the first page to the last it was very good and had a happy ending I would recommend this book to friends and family and anyone else who likes kitty neal .
May 9, 2016
A really good book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book I am just going to order the next book of this series. Just now on my kindle.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book I am just going to order the next book of this series. Just now on my kindle.
May 22, 2016
sadly not as good as previous books I've read by this author. Had an interesting start an ok middle and very bland ending.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
August 13, 2016
The worst book from the author in my opinion. I usually love her books.
April 15, 2021
A good read. Got off to a wavering start, and slowly got a little invested.
December 18, 2021
Enjoyed this book, not my usual genre but it was a very easy read that kept my attention throughout.
August 31, 2016
A good light right that keep me hooked from page one.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews